The days crawled by, each one feeling longer than the last. William's eagerness to reach their destination made time seem to slow to a crawl.
He passed the time by staying in his quarters, chatting with sailors on the upper deck, and gazing at the endless expanse of the ocean.
The moment they reached their destination was unmistakable. The island they were to explore boasted an enormous volcano, visible from a great distance.
The volcano's sheer size was awe-inspiring, and William could see smoke billowing from its peak. Even from afar, he felt dwarfed by its natural grandeur.
"Is it just me, or is there a village over there?" William wondered aloud, pointing towards a cluster of houses on the island. "How can they live so far out here?"
He had assumed the island would be deserted, or perhaps inhabited by only a few hardy souls, but he was mistaken. There were numerous houses and a bustling community.
